Muzzle brake and method

ABSTRACT

A muzzle gas reduction device has upper and lower elongated, curved sections that define a barrel shape that is open to the sides. The upper section has a narrower width than the lower section. A plurality of cone-shaped, open, combs are interposed between the upper and lower elongated sections, along a length thereof. The device is coupled to the end of a barrel of a firearm, preferably a PAN disrupter. The configuration of the cones and the differing widths of the upper and lower sections cause muzzle gasses to be re-directed rearward and upward, reducing recoil.

RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional application claims priority from provisional application No. 61/209,264, filed on Mar. 6, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to muzzle brakes and methods therefore and, more particularly, to an improved muzzle brake and method having particular application to the disabling of improved explosive devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Percussion actuated non-electric (PAN) disrupters or dearmers are often used by military personnel, bomb squads, and other emergency service personnel in the destruction and disablement of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other bombs and/or ordnance. A typical PAN disrupter comprises a heavy duty 12-gauge shotgun barrel which can be operated remotely through the use of a robot, for example, in order to facilitate firing of the device from a safe distance. The PAN disrupter is often engaged electrically or by a shock tube. Such a PAN disrupter uses specially designed 12-gauge shotgun ammunition in conjunction with various sighting methods which predominantly use a laser sight.

One method for dearming an IED involves the aiming of the PAN disrupter at the IED's power source. If the shot is successful, the power source is destroyed and the IED is disabled. There are several limitations with the prior art method herein described. Upon firing of the weapon, muzzle gases are discharged from the barrel end, in the direction of the IED. If the PAN disrupter is too close to the IED, the muzzle gases may detonate the explosive. If the PAN disrupter is moved farther away from the IED to reduce the risk of detonation, accuracy is sacrificed and the power source may not be hit by the projectile.

Because typical PAN disrupter ammunition generates a substantial amount of muzzle gases, firing of the device also produces significant recoil. This can be damaging to the PAN disrupter or to a robot upon which it is transported.

The present invention is directed to an improved device and method, having application to the disablement of IED's and the like, for redirecting muzzle gases and reducing recoil.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a muzzle gas reduction device is disclosed. The device comprises, in combination: an upper, elongated, curved section having a first width; a lower, elongated, curved section having a second width greater than that of the first width; wherein the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections define a barrel open to sides thereof; a plurality of cone-shaped combs interposed at intervals along the barrel defined by the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections; wherein each of the cone-shaped combs has an opening therethrough sufficient to permit passage of a projectile; and a coupling device adapted to couple the barrel of the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel of a firearm.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a muzzle gas reduction device is disclosed. The device comprises, in combination: an upper, elongated, curved section having a first width; a lower, elongated, curved section having a second width greater than that of the first width; wherein the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections define a barrel open to sides thereof; at least three cone-shaped combs interposed at intervals along the barrel defined by the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections; wherein each of the cone-shaped combs has an opening therethrough sufficient to permit passage of a projectile; and a coupling device adapted to couple the barrel of the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel of a firearm; wherein the firearm is a percussion actuated non-electric disrupter.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for reducing muzzle gas and recoil is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a muzzle gas reduction device comprising, in combination: an upper, elongated, curved section having a first width; a lower, elongated, curved section having a second width greater than that of the first width; wherein the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections define a barrel open to sides thereof; a plurality of cone-shaped combs interposed at intervals along the barrel defined by the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections; wherein each of the cone-shaped combs has an opening therethrough sufficient to permit passage of a projectile; and a coupling device adapted to couple the barrel of the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel of a firearm; coupling the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel of a firearm; and discharging the firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a muzzle gas reduction device consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the muzzle gas reduction device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the muzzle gas reduction device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the muzzle gas reduction device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the muzzle gas reduction device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of a muzzle gas reduction device 10 is shown. The muzzle gas reduction device 10 is adapted, as described below, to be coupled to an end of a firearm barrel. Preferably, the firearm is a PAN disrupter, though the muzzle gas reduction device 10 of the present invention may be utilized with other types of firearms not associated with disruptors, including canons. The muzzle gas reduction device 10 is adapted to permit a projectile to be fired from the firearm, to pass through the device 10, and to divert sideward and upward muzzle gasses escaping from the end of the firearm barrel.

The device 10 has, as illustrated in the figures, a substantially barrel shape. It comprises an upper, elongated, curved section 12 and a lower, elongated, curved section 14. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, a width of the upper section 12 is less than a width of the lower section 14.

Interposed between the upper section 12 and lower section 14 are a plurality of combs 16. Combs 16 have a cone shape, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. They are also open therethrough, as best seen in FIG. 1. The size of the openings through the combs 16 should be sufficient to permit passage therethrough of a projectile fired from the firearm (not shown).

Preferably, a plurality of combs 16 is provided. The number may be varied as desired. For some applications, three or four combs 16 may be sufficient. For others, five or more combs 16 may be desired. Preferably, the combs 16 are evenly-spaced, as seen in FIGS. 1-4.

Preferably, the upper and lower sections 12 and 14 and combs 16 are manufactured from steel.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cone shape of the combs 16 causes a portion of expelled muzzle gasses to be directed rearward. As shown in FIG. 5, the provision of a lower section 14 having a greater width than that of upper section 12 also causes a portion of expelled muzzle gasses to be directed upward. The combined effect of this re-direction of muzzle gasses, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, causes reduced recoil and even, in some instances, may cause the firearm to pitch forward rather than fall backward.

In testing, a PAN disrupter fired without a device 10 thereon was propelled end over end in a rearward direction for approximately 50 feet. The same device, firing the same projectile, tips forward into the ground.

Turning now to the manner in which the device 10 may be coupled to a barrel of a firearm (not shown), a sleeve 18 is provided at a rear end of the device 10. The sleeve 18 is configured to be slid over the firearm barrel. A clamp 20 is dimensioned to be fitted over the sleeve 18, and to then be tightened into place. The two mating halves of clamp 20 each have openings 22 therethrough, for receiving fastening screws 24. Preferably, the screws are socket head cap style. An anti-seize compound is preferably applied to the threads to protect them and to allow for their easy removal. The screws 24 are preferably tightened using a hex driver (not shown), which limits the leverage which can be applied to the screws 24, preventing over-torquing. A user should check for any movement of the device 10 after each shot, and should re-tighten if necessary.

It should be noted that the foregoing represents only one possible method for attaching the device 10 to the barrel of a firearm. For example, the device 10 could be threaded and screwed onto mating threads on the firearm barrel, the device 10 could welded to the barrel, or could be coupled in other ways.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims. 

1. A muzzle gas reduction device comprising, in combination: an upper, elongated, curved section having a first width; a lower, elongated, curved section having a second width greater than that of the first width; wherein the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections define a barrel open to sides thereof; a plurality of cone-shaped combs interposed at intervals along the barrel defined by the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections; wherein each of the cone-shaped combs has an opening therethrough sufficient to permit passage of a projectile; and a coupling device adapted to couple the barrel of the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel of a firearm.
 2. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 1, wherein there are at least three cone-shaped combs.
 3. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 1, wherein there are at least four cone-shaped combs.
 4. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 1, wherein there are at least five cone-shaped combs.
 5. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 1 wherein the coupling device comprises an elongated section having a diameter less than that of the barrel defined by the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections and a clamping device adapted to clamp the elongated section of the muzzle gas reduction device to the barrel of the firearm.
 6. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 1 further comprising a percussion actuated non-electric disrupter and wherein the muzzle gas reduction device is coupled to the percussion actuated non-electric disrupter.
 7. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 1 wherein the combs are evenly-spaced, one from the other.
 8. A muzzle gas reduction device comprising, in combination: an upper, elongated, curved section having a first width; a lower, elongated, curved section having a second width greater than that of the first width; wherein the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections define a barrel open to sides thereof; at least three cone-shaped combs interposed at intervals along the barrel defined by the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections; wherein each of the cone-shaped combs has an opening therethrough sufficient to permit passage of a projectile; and a coupling device adapted to couple the barrel of the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel of a firearm; wherein the firearm is a percussion actuated non-electric disrupter.
 9. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 8 wherein the coupling device comprises an elongated section having a diameter less than that of the barrel defined by the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections and a clamping device adapted to clamp the elongated section of the muzzle gas reduction device to the barrel of the firearm.
 10. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 8 wherein the combs are evenly-spaced, one from the other.
 11. A method for reducing muzzle gas and recoil comprising, in combination: providing a muzzle gas reduction device in accordance with claim 1; coupling the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel of a firearm; and discharging the firearm.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the firearm is a percussion actuated non-electric disrupter. 